hplusj

We can't see a relevant timeline, just one for citizenship. Can you please update to your K1/AOS details so we can improve on current timelines for all? Thank you!

I'm sure it's coming! Fingers crossed for you. 🤞

Just a couple updates for you guys: On Nov 20th Jon went for his biometrics. As he was finishing up the 5 minute appointment, I got an alert that his case had been updated. two days later on the 22nd, his EAD was approved. We received the physical card in the mail 10 days after that. We've had some trouble with the banks getting him qualified for a secured credit card so he can build stateside credit (shame, his score in ZA was outstanding), but finally broke through at US Bank this week. Also got him on the lease, even though that was complete after the I-485 was submitted. We'll have that documentation ready for an interview if needed. Rumor has it they're returning to interviews and phasing out waivers. We'll see. Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

For the love of god and all that is holy, do not jump the gun and do extra medicals without receiving an RFE that requires it. Find your DS-3025 (Vaccination Documentation Worksheet). It should've been provided to you by your panel physician when you did your medical abroad. Look at the top of the back/2nd page. Is the second box checked that states "K1 visa applicant voluntarily completed vaccination requirements"? If it is checked, no matter what vaccinations were left incomplete, the worksheet affirms via the physician that to the best of yours and their ability, you voluntarily submitted to completing it. Provided you included that DS-3025 in your AOS application, you are good on the medical end. If you forgot the DS-3025, locate it either in your paperwork or reach out to the panel physician for the copy they were legally required to supply to you. It serves as your working vaccination record in the US. Make copies. Provide as needed.

Please read up about I-693s on the website. They are not required in all circumstances.

At this point you’ll probably have to wait for the RFE. My understanding is that the DS-3025 with the application serves as receipt for the details of the medical packet, which I am unsure is part of the initial review. It is made available for the interview, I know that much. if you have the vaccination worksheet, make copies and keep them handy in the event of an RFE. Good luck!

I wish we had found this post sooner. My husband and I are so confused. When I (USC) moved to Iowa earlier in the year I applied for ACA and was given access to the marketplace probably within a week. Unfortunately I let the plan lapse with wedding costs and have tried special enrollment and now open enrollment trying to get access again for us. We got into the Medicaid cogs somehow and received a denial letter that said we would be passed to the federal marketplace for review now. Exhausting. I might have to pitch a promotion at work to become salaried and get us employer provided healthcare because as wage based I don’t qualify for it until my annual in March.

Looking at your timeline I’m not sure what the process is for a Q1. Is that family based?

Our NOA was received via mail on Nov 9th, postmarked Nov 6th! Everything's ready to go for biometrics on the 20th (and Jon's behind the wheel on the 22nd, since he needs that as proof of pending residency in Iowa).

Ours was received on the 1st but the NOA was postmarked Nov 6 so expect a slight delay. Seems they got a little busy on Monday and Tuesday. I wonder why... 🤣 I don't know if you set up a G-1145 for notifications but if not, you can always give your information to Emma and see if there are docs submitted for your case. Provide all information you have now: A-number, USCIS receipt, NVC case and ask to speak with an agent to get the access code printed on the NOA. If you did set up the notifications and you've heard nothing, I guess the waiting game is still on.

I understand that it's frustrating when this part of the process is very opaque but approaching it with a lens of unfairness is not going to make it easier for you. Focus on your relationship and your future plans together. Make sure this is all for naught. Exercise patience, and gratitude. Four years ago, your frustration over your wait would be laughable. Even a year ago, we were seeing petition approvals twice as long as yours. Our case was at NVC for four months. Breathe, find grace and foster the love for your future spouse. Not much is fair in this world, and the immigration process is certainly among the count.

I poked Emma (online assistant) and providing what I knew about the case, was able to get an agent who provided the access code that's on the paper.

Still waiting on the NOA1 to arrive! We'll need it to get Jon a driver's license, once he aces that behind the wheel lol! Also, the bio appointment is scheduled for the 20th (again saw it on our USCIS account) but nothing physical has arrived. Was issued one week ago.

Hey all! Been on the forums here since around the time of our first K1 NOA2 (yes, we had two) back in March of this year. I'd say we're long overdue for a little introduction: I'm Heather, the main arbiter of the hplusj account and the USC. My now-husband, Jon, is from South Africa. He arrived here on Friday the 13th of September because September 11th is clearly cursed and his flights kept cancelling. We live in Iowa, though right around the time of our NOA2 (literally my first piece of mail) I moved from Minneapolis down to the Des Moines metro. I work in the hospitality industry and, once that EAD shows up for Jon, he'll probably jump right back into software development. We did things the hard way with a K1, and it is what it is. Things like delaying our wedding would've been smart but we're suckers for sentimentality and wooo, is that a costly endeavor. When I mean costly, I don't necessarily meant the cost of the K1 (although that's certainly not cheap either). What it also cost us was understanding from our loved ones, and a sense of normalcy. Jon and I had a lovely micro-wedding in Vegas in an olive grove (pics below) but our family and friends really struggled to wrap their heads around a wedding invitation which had several time zones printed on it. Imagine the feedback we got: letters that read, We're so happy for you but we just can't make the journey when we had paid over $500 for a production team to livestream, in an attempt to include them! Anyway, the wedding was quite the adventure (so much to say on that, but let's not bog down an intro), and we're glad to be on the other side. At the time of this post, we just got the text from USCIS notifying us that Jon's NOA1 for the AOS/EAD are in the mail. It's on to the next steps, getting just a bit closer to citizenship! We are so glad to be here, to contribute our journey and hopefully help others along the way. Thank you for this site, it's been a godsend!!

Sorry this has been your experience, OP. I will say though, that "don't judge a book by its cover" goes both ways. I'll save further, potentially incendiary commentary for the political forum